Auxiliary sled runner



Patented Jan. 30, 1923.

UNITED sTATEs JOHN D. SHAFFER, or SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH.

AUXILIARY SLED vRUNNER.

Application ledMarch 29, 1921. Serial No. 456,620.

` type will enable theV same to be used for coasting on streets and side-walks. a

The main objectl of the invention 1s to provide auxiliary sled runners which may be quickly and easily attached or detached to or from the runner ot a sled of conventional :torm so that the conventional sled may be easily co-nverted for the purpose set forth above.

A further object of the invention is to provide a sled runner of the above type which is simple in construction, strong and i durable and which, it is believed, may be manufactured at a reasonably low cost.

Various other objects and advantages of my invention will become apparent during the continuance of the following description.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of my invention shown operatively associated with a sled or' conventional form.

Figure 2 is a view in bottom plan of a sled equipped with the improved device of my invention. v

Figure 3 is a view in bottom plan of the main or body portion of the auxiliary runner.

Figure 4 is a view in transverse cross section taken on line 4-1 of Figure 1.

Inasmuch as both ot the auxiliary runners herein shown, for purposes of illustration, are substantially or' the same construction, only one will be described in detail. The main or body portion 10 of the auxiliary runner is ot suitable length, width and thickness and may be constructed of any suitable or desirable material. It is of sufficient length to extend over practically the entire engaging surface of the main sled runners and is suitably curved throughout its length to it snugly against the under side of the sled runners and to compensate for the curvature theremF near the front end of the sled.

n its under side the body portion 10 is provided with spaced receiving cavities 11V for accommodating suitable anti-friction means sho-wn in the present Aembodiment in the form of ball bearings 12. These receiving cavities, however, accommodate only ar little more than one-half of each roller bearing as clearly shown in Figure 1 and other means is provided to maintain the roller bearings in place, as. will be hereinafter set forth. I

Adjacent its ends, theunder side of the body portion .10 is cut away as'at 13 to receive the transverse portion lil' of a clamping member y:15 whose arms embrace the body portion andV the sled runners asv will be more clearly described hereinafter. y The under side of the body portion 10 is further provided with a series of spaced openings 16 which receive suitable fasten- A ingD means.

n its under side, the body portion 10 receives a metallic plate 17 that extends throughout its entire length and which is secured in place by fastening means 18 that enter the opening 16 oi' the body portion. The plate 17 is further provided with spacedv openings 19 through which the ball bearings 12 project and in view ot' their being or less diameter than the ball bearings, it will be observed that the latter will be maintained in place by `means of the plate 17. l

The plate 17 also spans the cutaway portions 13 as shown in Figure 4 thereby preventing loss oi the clamping-members afterthe auxiliary runner has been removed from the sled. j

F or purposes of illustration, ll have shown, in the present embodiment, a sled comprising a body portion 20 which is equipped with the usual steel runners 21. `When in place,the body portion 10 of the auxiliary runnergiits snugly against the under side' of the main runner 21, as shown in Figure 1, while the clamping members 15 embrace both the body portion 10 and the runner y 21, as clearly shown in Figure 4;. By tightening the fastening means22, the clamping members may be firmly locked in position `and the auxiliary runner held rigid with relation to the main runner 21.' From this it will be observed that the operation in attaching the auxiliary runner or detaching the saine to or from the main runner 2l is simple and easy and that at'ter the auxiliary runner is in place, not only does the sled retain its normal contour but is converted whereby it may be used for coasting or on sidewalks or streets.

lt is to be understood that I do not limit myself in any way to the specific form of materials used in the construction of any of the parts or' my invention nor do l limit myseli to the speeiiic Construction of the anti-friction devices l2. it is believed that rollers or ball hearings can be used to the saine advantage.

From the foregoing' it is believed that the advantages and novel features ol my invention will be readily understood and there- `l'ore further detailed description is deemed unnecessary.

vWhat is 'claimed is:

l. An auxiliary sled runner comprising a main or body portion adapted to be disposed lengthwise over the engaging surface or' a sled runner and presenting spaced cavities in its under side, anti-'friction bearings seated in said cavities7 clamping members straddling` the said body portion and having engagement With the said sled runners to secure the body portion thereto, and a metallic strip extending' lengthwise of the under side ot.' the said body portion and fastened thereto for coniining` the said bearings and clamp members in place on the said body portion, said strip having open ings thru Which'the said anti-friction bearings operate.

2. An auxiliary sled runner comprising a main or body portion adapted to be disposed Alengthwise over the engaging' surface of a sled runner, said body portion having its under side provided with circular-Caritirs and transversely extending` rut-outs, clamping members seated in the said eutouts of the body portion and straddling` the latter to engage the runner oi a sled on opposite sides ior securing; the body portion in place, ball bearings seated in the circular cavities of the said body portion, and a metallic strip extending lengthwise of the body portion and secured to the latter on its under side to cover the said cut-out and cavities for retainingthe said Clamp menibers and ball bearings in place7 said strip having;- openings thru Which the said ball bearings operate.

In testimony whereof I my signature.

JOHN D. SHAFFER. 

